Metallocene inspired 2D metal intercalated carbon allotropes: Stability and properties via DFT calculations

Abstract Here we propose new structures which can be represented as metallocene molecules organized into a 2D hybrid structure with two carbon layers and metal atoms sandwiched between them. We called them 2D metallocene-like structures or metal-intercalated bilayer graphene allotropes inspired by MCp2 structure. The Co and Fe metal atoms as filler between the carbon layers were considered. In addition to intriguing geometry, proposed structures show dynamical stability, which was studied by state-of-the-art computational techniques. The nature of metal-carbon bonding was determined and analyzed. Half-metallic properties were observed in the case of cobalt-containing structures. Localization of magnetic moments on individual cobalt atoms opens broad prospects for application in spintronics devices due to the shielding of a magnetic metal atom by the carbon network.